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July 28, 2003
Army of One
It's clear now that the reports of Pvt. Lynch's heroic last stand were not greatly exaggerated....but it wasn't she that went down guns a-blazing. It was Sgt. Donald Walker.
Last week, with no fanfare, the Army released a detailed report of the incident, which made it clear that a lone American fighter did, indeed, hold out against the Iraqis — but that the soldier was not Pfc. Lynch. It said that following the ambush, Sgt. Walters might have been left behind, hiding beside a disabled tractor-trailer, as Iraqi troops closed in. The report confirmed that he died of wounds identical to those first attributed to Pfc. Lynch.
"There is some information to suggest that a U.S. soldier, that could have been Walters, fought his way south of Highway 16 towards a canal and was killed in action. Sgt. Walters was in fact killed at some point during this portion of the attack. The circumstances of his death cannot be conclusively determined," the report says.
Those on the ground are more certain about what really happened.
Fellow soldiers who witnessed the ambush have been less guarded. "One told me that if I read reports about a brave female soldier fighting, those reports were actually about Don," said Mrs. Walters.
"The information about what had happened had been taken by the military from intercepted Iraqi signals, and the gender had gotten mixed up. He was certain that the early reports had mixed up Jessica and Don."
Sgt. Walters' mom thinks, unlike the Army, that her son deserves more than the Bronze Star he was posthumously awarded....and wants his story given the attention that Pvt. Lynch has received for surviving a truck wreck and subsequent capture by the Iraqis.
Let's all help her out, shall we?
Posted by Rita at July 28, 2003 06:19 AM
Comments
Sure will. Look for a post from me later.
Posted by: michele at July 28, 2003 06:29 AM
Thanks!
Posted by: Rita at July 28, 2003 08:37 AM
Don's mom and dad are my best friends, since 1967; have known Don since he was a tiny baby. He and his wife and daughter visited me twice last year. He was ready to fight and die to defend this country and its' principles. He deserves the credit he earned through his selfless sacrifice. I know others have died as well and as bravely, let's make them known as the American heroes they are, and place the truth and honor with them and their loved ones. If we forget our military, we don't deserve the freedom gained from their final sacrifice. Remember those that serve and fight, and suffer the pain but not the death are also our heroes. I humbly request our memories be long and our prayers be many for all these heroes, I know mine will. God bless them all living and dead, and God bless and protect this land of ours with his almighty mercy, now and throughout all years to come.
Posted by: Darline Horner at September 7, 2003 08:52 AM